XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

)

$50,806 - $95,543

Country: United States

Currency: USD

Updated: 17 Feb 2019

Individuals Reporting: 8,578

Job Description for Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room

An operating room registered nurse, also known as a perioperative nurse, cares for patients at all stages of operative care (before, during, and after surgery). There are three areas of the operating room in which such a nurse might focus: circulating, scrub nurse, and first assistant.

The circulating nurse is concerned with maintaining a sterile environment in an operating room; this type of nurse opens sterile packages containing items that assist with operating procedures, as well as documents procedures needed to maintain a sterile environment. The scrub nurse, wears gloves and scrubs, and hands the surgeon(s) necessary instruments; he or she also monitors a patient's condition during surgery. The first assistant works most closely with the surgeons, doing some hands-on performance on the patient such as cutting into tissue or suturing, and hands the surgeon(s) the necessary instruments.

Operating room nurses work indoors in sterile operating rooms in hospitals and medical facilities. Their immediate supervisors are the surgeons with whom they work, in addition to administrative supervisors within the nursing hierarchy. They work not only with surgeons, but with fellow nurses and anesthesiologists. Their work schedule might call for them to be on duty any day of the week, at any hour, either by scheduled assignment or on short notice. Operating room nurses may be exposed to dangerous substances that are used in sterilization and anesthesiological procedures, and they are also are around sharp objects.

A registered nurse must complete of an accredited nursing program to receive certification. Being a first assistant also may require a certain number of years in practice as a registered nurse or additional coursework. Being an operating room nurse requires critical thinking, the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and be highly adaptive. Because these nurses work in situations that potentially involve death, they should be emotionally prepared to handle a variety of outcomes without a drop in performance. (Copyright 2019 PayScale.com)

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Tasks

Monitor patients for signs of complications during and after operating procedures.

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Popular Skills for Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room

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Pay by Experience Level for Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room

Pay by Experience for a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room has a positive trend. An entry-level Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room with less than 5 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of $59,000 based on 2,042 salaries provided by anonymous users. Average total compensation includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay. A Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room with mid-career experience which includes employees with 5 to 10 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of $66,000 based on 1,219 salaries. An experienced Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room which includes employees with 10 to 20 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of $73,000 based on 1,325 salaries. A Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room with late-career experience which includes employees with greater than 20 years of experience can expect to earn an average total compensation of $77,000 based on 1,102 salaries.

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room Advice

Q: What is it like working as a Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room?

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room in Artesia:

"To teach new people what to expect."

When you first start, listen to the older nurses so you can learn from them. They have been doing it a long time and know the in's and out's. If you think you already know it all, take time to listen and you might be surprised on what you can learn new that you thought you knew it all.

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room in Atlanta:

"How long I have to work to start health insurance."

Get some experience and move on.

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room in Prescott:

Pros: Co-workers, being there for my patients at one of the most stressful/scary times in their lives.

Cons: Management.

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room in Los Angeles:

"Operating Room Nurse."

Pros: I enjoy watching, assisting, scrubbing and circulating in a variety of surgeries. I enjoy working in Pediatrics. You get to work with the latest technology and participate in research. You feel like your are part of the operation when scrubbing. You get to work with one patient at a time. And the hours tend to be good.

Cons: I feel that the pay in the pediatrics environment is lower than elsewhere. Sometimes there are too many people trying to make decisions. The job is very fast paced and wearing a mask, hat, and Googles all the time can be difficult. Furthermore, you must have excellent bladder control because you only get two half hour breaks during an 8hr shift (most OR nurses work 5 8's which can be good and bad). There are a lot of demanding surgeons, anesthesiologists, and parents to answer to. The nurse must manage the needs of multiple people. There is always pressure to go faster and faster and move the cases along. A five minute delay is the end of the world.

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room in Charleston:

Learn to be efficient in as many different services as possible.

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room in New York:

"Challenging But Satisfying."

Pros: Adapt never ending learning everyday.
Orthopedic operation preparation for scrub is adventurous.a lot of supplement to stand by in case needed by surgeon during operation.

Cons: Roster management by sister-in-charge seem biased to me.

Registered Nurse (RN), Operating Room in Kansas City:

"Take Every Opportunity."

Learn as many roles (scrub, circulator) as possible and to function in as many surgical services as possible. Take every opportunity to "second scrub" and "second circulate" unfamiliar cases with experienced staff and help in traumas as needed. Take opportunities to participate in committees, etc. To broaden your understanding of your workplace and have input.